As our colleague, Bill Torbert once quipped, “In the 1960s it was said that ‘If you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem.’ Today we say, ‘If you aren’t part of the problem, you can’t be part of the solution.’”
“Prouds and Sorries” helps teams begin to understand what their role has been in creating the current reality that they are trying to shift. By framing the exploration in terms of what each sectoral group or sub-group has contributed positively (prouds) or negatively (sorries), the entire team begins to see more of the system as a whole, as well as see each other through various contrasting lenses.
Because the sectoral teams have to create their lists of prouds and sorries together, and then present them to the larger group, this exercise once again reinforces constructive ways to listen and talk, while suspending our voice of judgement. Doing so allows us to see our roles more clearly and more compassionately.